A National Study of the Reasons for Use and Non-Use of Alcohol Among College Student-Athletes by Sex, Race, and NCAA Division

Abstract

Alcohol use among college student-athletes should be of great concern due to their risk for excessive consumption and related negative consequences compared to their non-athlete peers. Previous research has focused on reasons and/or motives for alcohol and other drug use among student-athletes, rather than non-use. Additionally, previous studies on student-athletes have typically focused on a single NCAA division. Therefore, the purpose of this study sought to identify both reasons for use and nonuse of alcohol among NCAA student-athletes, and explore potential differences by gender/sex, race/ethnicity and NCAA Division. In summary, there are significant differences for use and non-use of alcohol between males and female student-athletes, White and Black student-athletes, and student-athletes of differencing NCAA divisions (I, II, and III).